Box office analysts identified several factors contributing to the film's box office success. Among these were the relative lack of competition owing to the release date, a marketing strategy that emphasized the novelty of the cinematic experience leading viewers to watch it in the theater rather than at home, positive word of mouth and repeat viewings increasing the film's staying power in cinemas, an ability to attract audiences across the globe, and premium ticket prices from 3D and IMAX showings.[28][29][30][31][32] Many of the records set by the film are listed below. Data on the previous record and records that have since been surpassed are presented where available and applicable. All grosses are given in unadjusted US dollars, except where noted otherwise.

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The film set the worldwide record for the highest gross of all time, surpassing the previous record by more than 50%, and grossed $2 billion in less time than it had taken the previous fastest-grossing film to gross half as much. It also exceeded the previous record for highest gross in the IMAX format by a factor of more than three.

It became the highest-grossing movie in history on January 25, 2010, after 41 days of release,[7][35][36] and had become the second-highest-grossing movie worldwide 20 days after its initial release.[37]

Outside of the US and Canada,[50] the gross was $1,839.0 million as of February 28, 2010 and the weekend gross for February 26–28, 2010 was $30.6 million, giving a gross of $1,808.4 million as of February 25, 2010. Adding to that the US and Canada gross[49] of $692.9 million as of February 25, 2010 gives a worldwide gross of $2.501 billion as of February 25, 2010.

Endgame was released on April 24, 2019, and the gross as of May 13, 2019 was $1,774.7 million outside of the US and Canada and $728.4 million in the US and Canada for a worldwide gross of $2.503 billion.[51]

In the domestic market, Avatar set the record for the highest-grossing film of all time as well as several weekend records. It also set speed records for grosses at and above $500 million, and had the widest IMAX and 3D releases of any film up to that time.

The figure represents the combined gross of all movies in theaters on the weekend of December 25–27, 2009. Avatar grossed 28.0%. The Dark Knight grossed 60.7% of the previous record. Jurassic World grossed 76.2% of the record that surpassed Avatar's.[89]

The figure represents the combined gross of all movies in theaters in December 2009. Avatar grossed 26.6%. I Am Legend comprised 20.1% of December 2007's gross. Star Wars: The Force Awakens comprised 50.0% of December 2015's gross.[90]

Avatar became the highest-grossing movie of all time in more than 30 markets spanning all six continents (not counting Antarctica). Data on precise figures, previous record holders, and surpassed records is limited due to the absence of box office record trackers for these markets.